| RAPPED | Criticised for being absorbed, so we hear (6) |
| SLATED | Severely criticised for being wrongly salted (6) |
| STORMY | Maiden being absorbed in tale that's wild (6) |
| INTAKE | Group of students, say, being absorbed (6) |
| TIRADE | String of invectives from traffic island being absorbed |
| PANNED | Criticised for having followed with a camera (6) |
| IRVINE | Lord ___, Labour politician criticised for the cost of his 10 4 (6) |
| CITRIC | No side criticised for half-time acid hit (6) |
| RUNOFF | Rainwater which drains into rivers rather than being absorbed into the soil (3,3) |
| BERCOW | John ___, former Commons speaker criticised for the cost of his apartment refurbishment in 2009 (6) |
| TURNEDON | Suddenly criticised for being aroused (6,2) |
| BLASTED | Severely criticised for being the biggest night owl, figuratively (7) |
| CUTUP | Criticised for being divided (3,2) |
| ENIDBLYTON | Tiny blonde novel writer criticised for being dumb |
| STAYED | Remained sober, so we hear (6) |
| INTERN | Put in prison one after the other, so we hear (6) |
| AERATE | Put bubbles in what heir ate, or so we hear (6) |
| PLAICE | Spot, so we hear, for fish |
| SIGHTS | Places, so we hear, for spectacles |
| CEREAL | Breakfast food produced in instalments, so we hear (6) |
